Car wash apparatus

ABSTRACT

This invention is a car wash apparatus having a control panel actuated through a transmitter structure in order to control liquid supply movement to a pump and motor assembly for successively dispensing rinse and detergent solutions onto a moving vehicle from a stationary U-shaped dispensing structure. More particularly, this invention is a car wash apparatus operable to dispense preselected liquids therefrom while being remotely controlled by a person operating a vehicle being cleansed.

ilnited States Patent nllmm [451 Mar. 28, 1972 CAR WASH APPARATUS 3,401,707 9/1968 Horwitz ..l34/l00 [72] inventor: Klaus E. Kollrnai, 211 South Main Primary ExaminerfHenry Klinksiek Avenue, Haysville, Kans. 67060 Atwmey phi1|ip Rein [22] Filed: May 22, 1970 I [57] ABSTRACT 21 A l. N 1 pp 0 39589 This invention is a car wash apparatus having a control panel actuated through a transmitter structure in order to control 52 U.S.Cl. ..l37/565, 134/45, 134/57 R, liquid pp y movement to a p p and motor assembly for 134/101 successively dispensing rinse and detergent solutions onto a [51] Int Cl B08) 3/00 moving vehicle from a stationary U-shaped dispensing structum More particularly this invention is a car wash apparatus [58] meld Search operable to dispense preselected liquids therefrom while being I 3 565566 remotely controlled by a person operating a vehicle being cleansed. [56] References Cited 9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 7 V N T AT5$P 3,038,481 6/l962 Bre c lgelu u 24' 26 I2 k I x r L i as I g 3O 73 i 64 I6 227/ 75 $6 X 55 m CAR WASH APPARATUS Numerous prior art structures have been devised in order to automatically wash an automobile but these structures are generally complicated in nature and very expensive to manufacture, not being satisfactory for a service station type operation. Additionally, the prior art structures present elaborate control means having the numerous maintenance and repair problems conventionally associated therewith.

In one embodiment of this invention, a car wash apparatus is provided utilizing a main control panel which is operable to selectively control a liquid supply assembly to supply the desiredpreselected liquid to a pump and motor assembly for dispensing the same outwardly through a U-shaped dispensing structure onto a vehicle in the appropriate vicinity. The control panel includes a main housing having therein a receiver assembly to receive signals through an actuator button or a transmitter structure; a power supply cord to supply 1 volt current to a transformer which converts the output side to 24 volts which is connected to the receiver structure; a motor and control assembly operable to receive a signal from the receiver assembly to actuate a motor member momentarily; an output socket assembly adapted to have a plug member and a soap solenoid plug member connected thereto; and an actuator light connected to the power input to indicate detergent cycle of the car wash apparatus being actuated. More particularly, the motor and control assembly is a ratchet solenoid member operable on downward movement to contact through a lever member a ratchet cam member which, in turn, is mounted upon a common shaft with an on-off cam structure and a soap solenoid cam structure. The ratchet cam member is operable on actuation of the ratchet solenoid member to cause a one-eighth rotation of the common shaft. The on-off cam structure is provided with four cam elements operable to close a switch member to energize the receptacle to receive the pump plug therein. The soap solenoid cam structure is provided with two cam elements thereon operable to actuate a switch structure to energize the soap solenoid plug receptacle. The liquid supply assembly includes a first inlet into a water storage drum through a float assembly and having the output trained through a check valve to the pump and motor assembly. Additionally, the liquid supply assembly includes a detergent supply drum connected by a supply line through a check valve and into a venturi injector structure for movement through a solenoid valve member as will be seen. The pump and motor assembly includes a pump member supplied on one side with inlet liquid and on the output side to a discharge line to convey a pressure liquid spray outwardly through a conveyor line into the U-shaped dispensing structure. The output line of the pump member also is connected to the input side of the venturi injector structure so as to create suction therein to draw detergent from the detergent storage drum when the soap solenoid valve member is in the open, energized condition. The U-shaped dispensing structure is provided with an upper head section and downwardly extended parallel arm sections, each having spaced nozzles therein for discharge of the preselected liquid on the vehicle placed between the upright parallel arm sections. It is to be noted that the transmitter structure is similar to that utilized in garage door structures for opening and closing the same on receiving a signal through the receiver structure. Also, a photo electric control panel is used to energize the motor and control assembly on receiving a light signal from the headlights on the vehicle being serviced.

One object of this invention is to provide an economical car wash apparatus overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art structures.

Another object of this invention is to provide a car wash apparatus which can be selectively operated by a person within a vehicle then being washed in order to achieve savings in time and labor.

One further object of this invention is to provide a car wash apparatus having a control panel operable to selectively operate a pump structure and a soap solenoid valve to selectively discharge rinse and detergent liquids therefrom.

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the car wash apparatus of this invention; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating a control panel of the car wash apparatus of this invention, and

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a photo electric control panel of the car wash apparatus of this invention.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiments of the car wash apparatus of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, whereupon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail and, in particularly FIG. 1, car wash apparatus 12 is provided utilizing a main control panel 14; a liquid supply assembly 16; and a pump and motor assembly 18 connected to the liquid supply assembly 16 and selectively energized by the control panel 14.

More particularly, the pump and motor assembly 18 includes a conventional pump and motor combination 21 connected by a power cord 23 to the control panel 14 and operable to pump liquid outwardly through an output line 22 into a U-shaped dispensing structure 24. The U-shaped dispensing structure 24 includes a top head section 26 integral with downwardly depending parallel arm sections 28, each section having a plurality of dispensing nozzles thereon indicated at 30. The dispensing structure 24 is of a sufficient height and width so that a vehicle such as a truck or an automobile may be driven therebetween so as to receive the selective rinse or detergent solution thereon as will be explained.

The liquid supply assembly 16 includes a first water inlet line 32 to supply liquid through a float assembly 34 so as to maintain a predetermined level within a water storage drug 36. It is obvious that the water storage drum 36 may be provided with soft, heated liquid if desired. The output from the water storage drum 36 is through a check valve member 37 into an inlet pipe 39 to the pump and motor combination 21. Additionally, the liquid supply assembly 16 includes a detergent storage drum 41 having concentrated detergent liquid therein operable to be conveyed through a detergent line 43, a check valve 45, and a venturi injector member 48. An inlet end of the venturi injector member 48 is connected to the output line 22 of the pump and motor combination 21. The detergent moves through the venture injector member 48 into an intermediate line 51 through a normally closed solenoid valve member 53 which is connected by a soap solenoid plug member 55 to the control panel 14 as will be seen. An outlet line 56 of the soap solenoid valve member 53 is connected through a T-member 58 to the inlet pipe 39 from the storage drum 36.

Referring to FIG. 2, the control panel 14 includes a main housing structure 61 having therein a receiver assembly 63; an inlet power cord 64 connected to a transformer member 66 through conductor lines 68 and 69 so as to convert volt input into a 24 volt output; a motor and control assembly 71 provided with the 24 volt power output on one side and selectively energized through the receiver assembly 63; an indicator lamp 72 connected on one leg to the inlet power cord 64 operable to indicate dispensing of a detergent liquid; pump and soap solenoid receptacles 73 and 75 to selectively energize and receive the pump and motor combination 21 plus the soap solenoid valve member 53; and a transmitter structure 77 used to operate the receiver assembly 63 as will be explained.

The receiver assembly 63 is provided with a receiver structure 78 having an antenna member 79 operable upon receiving an electronic signal from the transmitter structure 77 to cause a momentary energization of the motor and control assembly 71. The receiver assembly 63 may be operated by the transmitter member 77 similar to an automatic garage door opening assembly or manually through an actuator button 81 in order to momentarily close a line 83 from the transformer member 66 to energize the motor and control assembly 71.

The motor and control assembly 71 includes a solenoid type ratchet assembly 84 connected to a line 86 to the receiver structure 78 and a second line 87 to the transformer member 66. The solenoid type ratchet assembly 84 is provided with a main support shaft 89 having a ratchet cam 91 at one end and adjacent portions are provided with an on-off cam structure 93 and a soap solenoid cam structure 94. It is to be noted that the ratchet assembly 84 includes a cam solenoid member 96 operable on energization in order to pull an actuator lever 98 in a preselected direction and path to engage one of eight ratchet cam elements indicated at 99 on the ratchet cam 91 so as to move the same. In this case, the support shaft 89 rotates one-eighth of a revolution on each energization of the cam solenoid member 96. The on-off cam structure 93 is provided with four cam elements indicated at 103 with the respective cam elements operable to selectively open and close an actuator switch 104 mounted in close proximity thereto. The actuator switch 104 is provided with a control lever 106 which, on movement to the position as shown in FIG. 2, operates to close the contacts therein to provide power from the conductor 68 through an electrical line 108 to the pump power receptacle 73. The solenoid cam structure 94 is provided with two protruding elements indicated at 109 which, in turn, are operable to open and close switch member 111. The switch member 111 is provided with an actuator lever 114 in order to close the circuit from conductor 68 outwardly through a second electrical line 116 to the energized solenoid receptacle 75. This, in turn, operates through line 117 to energize the indicator lamp 72.

In the use and operation of the car wash apparatus 12 ofthis invention, it is to be noted that the inlet power cord 64 is plugged into a common l volt receptacle and the soap solenoid valve member 53 and the pump and motor combination 21 are connected by their respective power cords 55 and 23 to the pump and soap solenoid outlet receptacles 73 and 75 on the control panel 14 as shown in FIG. 1. Thereupon, a service station operator may enter the drivers portion of a vehicle and, on actuation of the transmitter structure 77 through pressing a button 121 thereon, the same transmits a signal to the receiver structure 63 in the control panel 14. This will energize the ratchet assembly 84 and rotate the support shaft 89 one-eighth of a revolution to the condition as shown in FIG. 2 whereupon the on-ol'f cam structure 93 has its cam element 103 holding the actuater switch 104 in a closed condition thereby providing power through the lines 68, 108 and 69 to the pump and motor combination 21. Additionally, the soap solenoid cam structure 94 has its protruding cam element 109 holding the switch member 111 in a closed condition whereupon power is supplied through lines 68, 116 and 69 to the soap solenoid member 53 (FIG. 2). At this time, the pump and motor combination 21 is receiving liquid from the inlet liquid pipe 39 and discharging the same outwardly through the U-shaped dispensing structure 24 and the nozzle members 30.

Conjointly, liquid moves as indicated by the arrow 123 to the venturi injector member 48 through the now open energized solenoid valve member 53. This movement of pressure liquid through the restricted venturi injector member 48 causes detergent to be pulled under suction into the venturi injector member 48 to the intermediate line 51. This liquid mixes with the inlet liquid to the pump and motor combination 21 for dispensing the detergent outwardly into the U-shaped dispensing structure 247 At this time, the operator may move the vehicle back and forth relative to the stationary U-shaped dispensing structure 24 to achieve sufficient wetting and soaping ofthe automobile.

Next, the operator would again actuate the transmitter structure 77 by pushing the button 121 and the ratchet assembly 84 rotates support shaft 89 a one-eighth revolution. At this time, the cams as shown in FIG. 2 rotate whereupon both actuator switch 104 and the switch member 111 will be placed in the off condition which deenergizes the pump and motor combination 21 and the soap solenoid member 53. At this time, the operator will then mitt down the vehicle which has already been pre-conditioned for his efforts in a most speedy and fast manner.

After the vehicle has been sufficiently mitted, the operator will again enter the vehicle and actuate the transmitter structure 77. This again operates to actuate the ratchet assembly 84 and rotate the support shaft 89 a one-eighth revolution. This causes the actuator switch 104 to close which would energize the pump and motor combination 21. However, the soap solenoid cam structure 94 is of a shape that the switch member 111 will remain deenergized. Thereupon, it is noted that although the pump and motor combination 21 is energized, the soap solenoid member 53 is deenergized so that the only liquid being received by the pump and motor combination 21 is that of the clear rinse fluid from the water supply drum 36. This would be the rinse cycle and the operator would move the vehicle back and forth sufiicient times between the U- shaped dispensing structure 24 to provide a complete rinsing thereof. Next, the operator again actuates the transmitter structure 77 to again rotate the support shaft 89 one-eighth revolution whereupon the actuator switch 104 and the switch member 111 are in the inoperative or deenergized condition. In this position, the ratchet assembly 84 is in a position just prior to that shown in FIG. 2 so that it is in condition to repeat the selective wash and rinse cycles.

The car wash apparatus 12 can also be energized through the actuator button 81 if desired by one outside the vehicle then being worked upon to achieve the aforementioned rotation of the shaft 89 through lines 83, 124, 126 and 86.

In another actuator embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, a transmitter structure includes a photo electric control panel 130 having a main housing 132 connected by lines 124 and 126 to the motor and control assembly 71 to energize the ratchet assembly 84 for operation as previously described. The housing 132 is provided with an opening 133 to permit entrance of a light signal through a filter member 134 surrounded by a shield pipe member 140 for reasons to be explained. More particularly, the photo electric control panel 130 includes a power supply through conductor lines 135 and 136 to supply volt power input from a conventional receptacle to a transformer 137; the reostat 138 connected by a line 139 from the transformer 137; the reostat 138 connected by a line 141 to a photo electric cell 143; the photo electric cell 143 connected by a line 145 to a power amplifier 147; the amplifier 147 connected by a line 150 to a relay assembly 153; and the transformer 137 is also connected to the relay assembly 153.

The relay assembly 153 includes a solenoid member 157 operable on energization to move a lever 158 to close contacts 161 and 163 to provide a circuit through lines 124 and 126 similar to operation ofthe actuator button 81.

In the use and operation of the car wash apparatus 12 with the photo electric control panel 130, the receiver structure 63 and the transmitter structure 77 could be deleted. The control panel is powered through lines and 136 and connected by lines 124 and 126 to the ratchet assembly 84. The operator within the vehicle to be washed merely turns on the vehicle headlights to transmit a light signal through the filter member 134. This signal is converted to an electrical signal on hitting the photo electric cell 143 and amplified by the amplifier 147 to energize the relay assembly 153. This closes the circuit momentarily through lines 124 and 126 to operate the motor and control assembly 71 through the wash, off, rinse, and off cycles as previously described.

The filter member 134 is operable such as a red filter to control operation by tungsten light only from the vehicless headlights and not operable by a daylight signal. The pipe member is darkened on the inner surface so as to absorb light to control operation on only receiving a direct signal from the vehicles headlights.

It is seen that the car wash apparatus of this invention provides a compact, economical structure which can be readily mounted within the work bay openings in service stations and energized to achieve the time consuming pro-soaking, washing and rinsing cycles. It is seen that this low cost, economical car wash apparatus will make it possible for service station operators throughout the country to again re-enter the field of car washing which has been exempt due to the high cost of labor and the time consuming operation of satisfactory washing of a vehicle.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred specific embodiments, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the following claims.

lclaim:

1. A wash apparatus adapted to wash and rinse vehicles, comprising:

a. a pump and motor assembly having a pump and motor combination to place liquid upon the vehicle through a dispensing structure to place liquid upon the vehicle,

b. a liquid supply assembly connected to said pump and motor combination to supply inlet liquid thereto through an inlet pipe, said liquid supply assembly having a detergent control device operably connected to said inlet pipe,

. a control panel connected to said pump and motor combination and said detergent control device for selective energization thereof, said control panel having a motor control assembly selectively operated by a transmitter structure, and

d. said motor control assembly operable under one set of conditions to dispense a detergent liquid through said dispensing structure by energization of said pump and motor combination and said detergent control device, operable under a second set of conditions to deenergize said pump and motor combination and said liquid supply assembly to cease dispensing of liquid through said dispensing structure; and operable under a third set of conditions to energize said pump and motor combination and not energize said liquid supply assembly so as to dispense only a clear rinse liquid through said dispensing structure.

2. A wash apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein;

a. said transmitter structure of the portable type actuated by a button member to energize said motor control assembly for actuation to various ones of said sets of conditions through a receiver structure therein from a remote location whereby said wash apparatus can be operated by one within the vehicle for moving the same through a stationary one of said dispensing structures.

3. A wash apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein;

a. said control panel provided with an actuator member operable to selectively energize said receiver structure through said actuator member without use of said transmitter structure, and

b. said control panel having an indicator lamp operably connected to said detergent control device to indicate dispensing of a detergent mixture onto the vehicle being worked upon. 1

4. A wash apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein:

a. said liquid supply assembly having a storage drum to dispense liquid therefrom into said inlet pipe to said pump and motor combination; a detergent supply drum successively connected through a check valve, a venturi injector member, and a soap solenoid member to supply detergent liquid to said inlet pipe on energization of said soap solenoid member; and said venturi injector member connected to the output of said pump and motor combination so as to provide a means of pulling the detergent liquid so as to mix the same with the inlet liquid in said inlet pipe into said pump and motor combination.

5. A wash apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein;

a. said motor control assembly utilizing a ratchet assembly operable on selective energization thereof to contact a ratchet cam member mounted upon a support shaft so as to partially rotate the same, and b. an on-of cam structure and a soap cam structure mounted on said support shaft, each operable on rotation of said support shaft to selectively energize respective ones of an actuator switch and a switch member to energize respective ones of said pump and motor combination and soap solenoid member at certain positions of rotation thereof.

A wash apparatus as described in claim 5, wherein;

a. said on-off cam structure provided with four cam elements thereon operable to selectively move said actuator switch from the on to the off condition successively on rotation thereof through said ratchet assembly,

b. said soap cam structure having two protruding cam elements operable at each switch member and said solenoid therefrom, and

c. said ratchet assembly having eight ratchet elements thereon operable on each energization of said motor control assembly to rotate said support shaft one-eighth of a revolution whereby two wash cycles are obtained on complete rotation of said support shaft.

A wash apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein;

a. said transmitter structure including a photo electric control panel connected to said motor control assembly operable on receiving a light signal to energize said motor control assembly.

. A wash apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein;

a. said photo electric control panel having a photo electric cell operable on receiving a light signal thereagainst to energize a relay assembly to close a circuit to said motor control assembly for successive operation through said first, second and third sets of conditions.

A wash apparatus as described in claim 8, wherein;

a. said photo electric control panel having a filter member surrounded by a shield member to limit the type of light signal to reach and activate said photo electric cell. 

1. A wash apparatus adapted to wash and rinse vehicles, comprising: a. a pump and motor assembly having a pump and motor combination to place liquid upon the vehicle through a dispensing structure to place liquid upon the vehicle, b. a liquid supply assembly connected to said pump and motor combination to supply inlet liquid thereto through an inlet pipe, said liquid supply assembly having a detergent control device operably connected to said inlet pipe, c. a control panel connected to said pump and motor combination and said detergent control device for selective energization thereof, said control panel having a motor control assembly selectively operated by a transmitter structure, and d. said motor control assembly operable under one set of conditions to dispense a detergent liquid through said dispensing structure by energization of said pump and motor combination and said detergent control device, operable under a second set of conditions to deenergize said pump and motor combination and said liquid supply assembly to cease dispensing of liquid through said dispensing structure; and operable under a third set of conditions to energize said pump and motor combination and not energize said liquid supply assembly so as to dispense onLy a clear rinse liquid through said dispensing structure.
 2. A wash apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein; a. said transmitter structure of the portable type actuated by a button member to energize said motor control assembly for actuation to various ones of said sets of conditions through a receiver structure therein from a remote location whereby said wash apparatus can be operated by one within the vehicle for moving the same through a stationary one of said dispensing structures.
 3. A wash apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein; a. said control panel provided with an actuator member operable to selectively energize said receiver structure through said actuator member without use of said transmitter structure, and b. said control panel having an indicator lamp operably connected to said detergent control device to indicate dispensing of a detergent mixture onto the vehicle being worked upon.
 4. A wash apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein: a. said liquid supply assembly having a storage drum to dispense liquid therefrom into said inlet pipe to said pump and motor combination; a detergent supply drum successively connected through a check valve, a venturi injector member, and a soap solenoid member to supply detergent liquid to said inlet pipe on energization of said soap solenoid member; and said venturi injector member connected to the output of said pump and motor combination so as to provide a means of pulling the detergent liquid so as to mix the same with the inlet liquid in said inlet pipe into said pump and motor combination.
 5. A wash apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein; a. said motor control assembly utilizing a ratchet assembly operable on selective energization thereof to contact a ratchet cam member mounted upon a support shaft so as to partially rotate the same, and b. an on-off cam structure and a soap cam structure mounted on said support shaft, each operable on rotation of said support shaft to selectively energize respective ones of an actuator switch and a switch member to energize respective ones of said pump and motor combination and soap solenoid member at certain positions of rotation thereof.
 6. A wash apparatus as described in claim 5, wherein; a. said on-off cam structure provided with four cam elements thereon operable to selectively move said actuator switch from the on to the off condition successively on rotation thereof through said ratchet assembly, b. said soap cam structure having two protruding cam elements operable at each switch member and said solenoid therefrom, and c. said ratchet assembly having eight ratchet elements thereon operable on each energization of said motor control assembly to rotate said support shaft one-eighth of a revolution whereby two wash cycles are obtained on complete rotation of said support shaft.
 7. A wash apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein; a. said transmitter structure including a photo electric control panel connected to said motor control assembly operable on receiving a light signal to energize said motor control assembly.
 8. A wash apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein; a. said photo electric control panel having a photo electric cell operable on receiving a light signal thereagainst to energize a relay assembly to close a circuit to said motor control assembly for successive operation through said first, second and third sets of conditions.
 9. A wash apparatus as described in claim 8, wherein; a. said photo electric control panel having a filter member surrounded by a shield member to limit the type of light signal to reach and activate said photo electric cell. 